What I do

I directly support the vet – from helping with surgery and x-rays to working out correct drug dosage. The animals I deal with are equally as varied and can be anything from dogs getting their first vaccinations to monkey’s needing a health check.

Hear more about Morgan's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

I have always wanted to work with animals, but it is hard to get into veterinary nursing. So, when I finished school at 16-years-old I emailed every single vet practice in the county, and I managed to get an apprenticeship at Well House Vets in Crowborough. I feel I was very lucky to get it. I studied English, maths, science, business, sociology, geography, ICT, and art at school, but I had some experience of working with animals which, I think, helped – I worked part-time at a Llama Park when I was younger.

A typical day in my
working life

We look after a huge variety of animals, from cats and dogs to monkeys and penguins (as we work with a local zoo). The early shift starts at 8 am to 5 pm and the first job is to admit all the animals for surgery that day. Mainly this is pre-booked procedures for things like neutering, but sometimes there are more difficult surgeries, like orthopaedic cases.

As a veterinary nurse you check the animal’s temperature, respiration, and heart rate to make sure they are fit and healthy for a general anaesthetic. Once you have done that, you draw up and give them the medication for surgery and then monitor the anaesthetic. You then oversee the post-op recovery, write up all the notes and discharge the animal when it’s time.

If you are on a later shift, you focus on seeing animals that are coming in for post-op checks and look after the in-patients. When animals are sick, I regularly check on them throughout the night. I am lucky that I live locally so I can pop home and then come back a few times to make sure they are all OK.

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

I love the surgery and diagnostic imaging side of the job. The x-rays and ultrasounds are really interesting. I would love to be able to get more involved in the surgery side of things.

The best bits about working in a team

I work in a team of 10 nurses alongside 12 vets. It's so good to have that support and I love it. Everyone helps each other.

What I wear to work

Day to day, my work uniform is a tunic or green scrub top with black trousers. You must be completely covered but your arms should be bare below the elbow so you can wash properly between patients. Traditionally, qualified veterinary nurses wear green, whereas student nurses wear green pinstriped tops.

The skills I use most

As a veterinary nurse technician, you have to do a lot of interpersonal work with the pet owners. We are always problem solving and working with the owners to get the best possible outcomes, according to their wishes.

The next steps in my career journey

I would like to do a certificate in small animal surgery. It can take up to three years to achieve, but then you can perform minor surgeries.

The advice I'd give to
someone younger

University isn’t everything. You can still be very successful doing diplomas or taking other routes.

Find out more about this role

Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.

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Morgan Palmer